He thought Hyslop looked languidly amused.
When all was quiet, he took the notes Gavin handed him, glanced at the paper, and put it down.

Then, speaking in a steady voice, he gave the report of the year's work and talked about the balance sheet.

He was frank but not apologetic, and claimed, in view of the difficulties, that the directors had well guarded the company's interests.

When he stopped there were murmurs of approval, as if some of the despondent had begun to hope; the cautious admitted that Cartwright had made a bad situation look better.
One or two asked questions, which he answered candidly, and then there was a pause and somebody moved the adoption of the chairman's report and balance sheet.

His seconder made a short nervous speech, and Mrs.Seaton got up at the end of the room.